The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] Clovis F. Ayers, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 2d Armored Division, in action against the enemy in 1944. While following the platoon leader into Dangy, Normandy, France, on a reconnaissance mission, Sergeant Ayers dismounted at a crossroad to cover the platoon’s advance. There, after they passed, he engaged the enemy in a fire fight with his Browning Automatic Rifle, killing several and capturing eight unassisted. Sergeant Ayers held this positionw ith utter disregard for his personal safety for about ten minutes, thereby allowing the platoon to proceed on its mission. Later it was revealed that the str ength of the enemy at this point was 50 dismounted men and one Mark V tank. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant [then Private First Class] Ayers, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.